Thrift Shop Bar

Thrift Shop Bar is (at this point in time) Adelaide’s only bar to stock 100% Australian spirits. That means the bartenders have had to get particularly inventive when faced with drinks that aren’t bottled on our fair shores such as Campari, Chambord and Coca Cola. But instead of sinking, they swim.

The Quandong Negroni is a perfect example, using sweet vermouth, gentian bitter liqueur and the bar’s own Quandong Gin to create a Negroni that is uniquely Australian. Other cocktail favourites include the Spiced Bramble with spiced vodka, berry liqueur and blackberry or a Cigar Smoked Hot Chocolate spiked with rum and served with a toasted marshmallow. The beer, wine and cider lists see a different South Australian brand showcased every eight weeks to bring the cellar door experience to the city.

The bar menu also makes use of native produce such as smoked crocodile on sourdough with beach succulents or emu fillet on rye with blue cheese and pepperberry relish. There’s also classic charcuterie, cheeses and curly fries for those of us with less patriotic tastes. Sunday mornings see chef James Sutton (ex-2KW and Press* Food and Wine serving hangover cures such as shakshuka and chorizo baked eggs; and smashed avocado and poached eggs; alongside bottomless filter coffee and brunch cocktails.

All of the furniture, as well as the second-hand suitcases that make up the bar, are sourced from thrift shops around the country. This adds a suitably homely atmosphere to a bar that pays tribute to exclusively homegrown ingredients.